Breaking News: 40 Dead As Pakistan Airline Crashes

A Pakistani plane conveying over 47 passengers has crashed, killing over 40 persons on board. Among the casualties is one of the country’s best known musicians, Junaid Jamshed. Reuters reports that the Pakistan International Airlines ATR-42 aircraft vanished after taking off from the Northern Chitral region.

It is also believed that two children were among the casualties. The national carrier confirmed in a statement that Flight PK-661, from the city of Chitral to Islamabad, had lost contact with air traffic controllers. Officials have said it is very unlikely that there will be survivors from the crash. Taj Muhammad Khan, a government official based in the Havelian region, said, ‘All of the bodies are burned beyond recognition. The debris is scattered.Secretary Aviation Irfan Ilahi told reporters in Islamabad, Geo News reports: ‘It is premature to say anything at the moment, but we know that the aircraft had engine problems.’ The airline said the plane was an ATR-42 turboprop aircraft, which lost contact en route from Chitral.